Ergot alkaloids in animal feed: what manufacturers and farmers must do in 2026

Key data

Compound feed manufacturers and farmers using cereal-based raw materials have an active monitoring obligation from June 15, 2026: to monitor the presence of ergot alkaloids (rye ergot) in their raw materials and finished products. Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1243, published on June 15, 2026, established this monitoring framework; the rectification published on September 2, 2026 corrects material errors in the original text without modifying the substance of the obligations.

Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins produced by fungi of the genus Claviceps that contaminate cereals such as rye, wheat or barley. Their presence in feed can cause toxicity in farm animals, with direct consequences for livestock health and, by extension, for the productivity and economic results of farms.

What does this regulation establish?

Recommendation (EU) 2026/1243 urges Member States and industry operators to monitor the presence of ergot alkaloids at two levels of the chain:

• Raw materials: especially cereals such as rye, wheat and barley, which are the main substrates for contamination by fungi of the genus Claviceps.
• Compound feeds: finished products intended for animal feed, where contamination can accumulate or concentrate.

The rectification published on September 2, 2026 corrects material errors detected in the text published on June 15, 2026. It does not alter the substance of the monitoring obligations established, but its publication means that the corrected text is the legal reference from that date onwards.

As it is a European recommendation and not a binding regulation, Member States have implementation flexibility, but the recommendation creates a clear expectation of action and can serve as a basis for future stricter regulations or for inspection criteria by the competent authorities in animal feed control.

Economic and operational impact

Although the regulation does not establish direct economic sanctions or specific amounts, its operational impact is real and measurable for industry operators:

• Cost of analysis and sampling: Implementing or strengthening an ergot alkaloid monitoring program involves periodic laboratory analysis of raw materials and compound feeds. The cost varies depending on production volume and the sampling frequency established.
• Management of contaminated batches: Detection of ergot alkaloid contamination may require withdrawal or rejection of raw material batches, with consequent impact on procurement and production costs.
• Livestock risk: Failure to detect contamination and administration of feed with ergot alkaloids to farm animals can cause toxicity, loss of productive performance and, in severe cases, animal mortality, with direct economic losses for the farmer.
• Position in inspections: Competent authorities in animal feed control may use this recommendation as an evaluation criterion in inspections, which exposes operators without a monitoring program to requirements or corrective measures.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers: companies that produce feed from cereal-based raw materials (rye, wheat, barley) and market them for animal feed.
• Farmers: farms that use compound feeds or raw materials directly in the feeding of farm animals.
• Competent authorities in animal feed control: public bodies responsible for inspection and control of the feed production chain in each Member State.
• Suppliers of cereal raw materials: companies that supply rye, wheat or barley to feed manufacturers, as monitoring begins at the origin of the chain.

Practical example

A compound feed manufacturer using rye and barley as main raw materials must, from the entry into force of this recommendation (June 15, 2026), have a documented protocol for sampling and analysis of ergot alkaloids. This implies, at a minimum:

1. Establish a sampling plan for each batch of rye, wheat or barley received from suppliers.
2. Send samples to an accredited laboratory for analysis of ergot alkaloids (mycotoxins of the genus Claviceps).
3. Document the results and establish criteria for acceptance or rejection of batches.
4. Extend sampling to the finished product (compound feed) before its marketing or use on the farm.

If an inspection by the competent authority in animal feed control detects that the manufacturer does not have this monitoring program, it may be subject to improvement requirements or corrective measures, and be in an unfavorable position in the face of future binding regulations that may derive from this recommendation.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the corrected text: Read the rectification published on September 2, 2026 to identify what material errors have been corrected from the June 15, 2026 text and ensure you are working with the current version.
2. Audit the current monitoring program: Verify whether the company already has a protocol for sampling and analysis of ergot alkaloids in raw materials (rye, wheat, barley) and in compound feeds. If it does not exist, implement it immediately.
3. Contact accredited laboratories: Identify laboratories with capacity to analyze ergot alkaloids and establish service agreements for periodic sampling.
4. Document all controls: Record each sampling, analytical result and decision on batches. This documentation is key in the event of an inspection by the competent authority.
5. Communicate with suppliers: Convey to suppliers of cereal raw materials the requirement for monitoring, requesting analysis certificates or results from their own control programs.
6. Follow regulatory developments: This recommendation may lead to a binding regulation with maximum limits and sanctions. Staying informed is key to anticipating adaptation.

Official source

Consult the complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202690724